Automatic wrapping machine tape supporter

ABSTRACT

An automatic wrapper machine tape supporter includes a base member, an inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide, a reversing device, a drive device and a cam. The base member is mounted in the wrapper machine and a frame mounted upright on the base member. The inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide is mounted in the frame. The reversing device is mounted on one side of the wrapping tape guide. The drive device is mounted under the frame and connected to the reversing device. The cam is rotatably mounted on the base member and driven by a motor to drive the drive device for horizontally pulling out the wrapping tape guide so that the tape is released from the wrapping tape guide and is wrapped on an object. The reversing device can make the wrapping tape guide moved back to an original position for next wrapping action.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a tape supporter, and more particularly to tape supporter for an automatic wrapping machine.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] With reference to FIG. 6, a conventional automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the prior art comprises a base (70), a U-shaped frame (71), a tape rail (74), a connector (72) and a drive assembly. The U-shaped frame (71) is mounted on the base (70). The U-shaped frame (71) is an inverted “U” with a continuous upper portion and an open bottom portion. The connector (72) is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the frame (71) by two connector pins (73). A tilt rod (721) is pivotally mounted on one end of the connector (72) and an L-shaped tilt rod (722) is pivotally mounted on the other end of the connector (72). The free end of the L-shaped tilt rod (722) extends to a lower portion of the frame (71) and is directed inward relative to the frame (21). The tape rail (74) has two parallel vertical sides respectively attached to the rods (721, 722) by two pivot pins (75) that align with each other near the upper portion of the tape rail (74). The shape of the tape rail (74) corresponds to the frame (71), and the tape rail (74) has two opposite ends directed toward each other.

[0005] The drive assembly comprises a rocker arm (77), a cam (82) and two springs (76, 78). The first spring (76) has two ends respectively attached to the base (70) and a horizontal portion of the L-shaped rod (722). The rocker arm (77) has one end pivotally connected to the wrapping machine by a first pin (79). The second spring (78) has two opposite ends respectively attached to the horizontal portion of the L-shaped tilt rod (722) and one end of the rocker arm (77) opposite to the first pin (79). A roller (80) is rotatably mounted on a middle portion of the rocker arm (77) and faces the tape rail (74). A cam (82) is rotatably mounted in the wrapping machine by a second axle (81) and is driven by the second axle (81). The roller (80) abuts an eccentric edge of the cam (82) so that rocker arm (77) is driven by the cam (82).

[0006] The cam (82) pushes the roller (80) that is mounted on the rocker arm (77) when the wrapping machine prepares to wrap an object, thereby the upper portion of the arm (77) is moved away from the base (70) and pulls the second spring (78). Then the second spring (78) pulls the L-shaped tilt rod (722) of the connector (72) that swings corresponding to the first connector pin (73) and towards the rocker arm (77) to pull the first spring (76). At the same time, the tape rail (74) moves towards the rocker arm (77) because the tape rail (74) is pivotally mounted on the tilt rods (721, 722). Consequently, the wrapping tape (not shown) will release from the tape rail (74) to wrap an object that is set on the base (70).

[0007] After the wrapping tape wraps around the object, the cam (82) is driven by the second axle (81) to make a lip (not numbered) on the cam (82) abut the roller (80). Then the connector (72) moves back to the original position due to the restitution force of the first spring (76), and the tape rail (74) moves back to the original position because the tape rail (74) is pivotally attached to the connector (72) to prepare for the next wrapping sequence.

[0008] The wrapping machine can wrap an object with the conventional tape supporter. However, the conventional automatic wrapping machine tape supporter has the following disadvantages:

[0009] 1. The first spring and the second spring will lose their elasticity when used for a long time. Then the movement of the connector and the tape rail will not be reliable.

[0010] 2. The connector is pivotally mounted on the frame, and the tape rail is pivotally mounted on the connector. Consequently, the connector and the tape rail will rock when wrapping.

[0011] The present invention has arisen to mitigate and/or obviate the disadvantages of the conventional tape supporter of an automatic wrapping machine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The main objective of the present invention is to provide an improved automatic wrapping machine tape supporter that has stable movement during wrapping operations.

[0013] To achieve the objective, the automatic wrapper machine tape supporter in accordance with the present invention comprises a base member mounted in the wrapper machine and a frame mounted upright on the base member. An inverted U-shaped wrapping tape guide is mounted in the frame. A reversing device is mounted on one side of the wrapping tape guide. A drive device is mounted under the frame and connected to the reversing device. A cam is pivotally mounted on the base member and driven by a motor to drive the drive device to horizontally pull out the wrapping tape guide so that the tape releases from the wrapping tape guide and is wrapped around an object. The reversing device can make the wrapping tape guide move back to an original position for next wrapping sequence.

[0014] Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of an automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a partial front plan view of automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 2;

[0018]FIG. 4 is an operational side plan view in partial section of the automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 1 showing the raised portion of the cam abutting the wheel;

[0019]FIG. 5 is an operational side plan view in partial section of the automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in FIG. 1 showing the lower portion of the cam abutting the wheel; and

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a conventional automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the prior art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, an automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the present invention comprises a base member (10), an inverted U-shaped frame (21), a guide (30), a reversing device (not numbered), a drive device (50) and a linkage assembly (60). The inverted U-shaped frame (21) is mounted upright to the base member (10). The guide (30) is mounted upright to the base member and within the frame (21). The reversing device is mounted within the frame (21). The drive device (50) and the linkage assembly (60) are mounted on the base member (10).

[0022] The base member (10) is adapted to be mounted in the automatic wrapping machine and includes a first side plate (11) and a second side plate (110) facing and parallel to each other. A cam axle (13) is rotatably attached to and extends perpendicular through the first side plate (11). The cam axle (13) has a first end and a second end. The first end of the cam axle (13) is situated between the two side plates (11, 110) and adapted to be connected to a reduction gear set (not shown) that is driven by a motor (not shown). A cam (12) is securely attached to the second end of the cam axle (13). A holder (14) has two opposite sides respectively mounted on the top of each of the two side plates (11, 110).

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the inverted U-shaped frame (21) has an open end adapted to be mounted on the automatic wrapping machine (not shown). The cross section of the frame is L-shaped. The frame (21) has a vertical side perpendicular to the base member (10) and a skirt (not numbered) perpendicularly extending from an outer edge of the vertical side of the frame (21).

[0024] The wrapping tape guide (30) has a shape corresponding to that of the frame (21) but has rounded corners (not numbered). The wrapping tape guide (30) has two opposite ends directed toward each other and respectively mounted on top of the corresponding side plates (11, 110) of the base member (10). A transverse guide slot (301) is defined in the wrapping tape guide (30) for receiving a wrapping tape (100). The transverse guide slot (301) has a shape corresponding to that of the wrapping tape guide (30).

[0025] The reversing device is mounted on and within the frame (21) between the skirt of the frame (21) and the wrapping tape guide (30). The wrapping tape guide (30) has multiple rounded corners each having a first bolt (41) attached to an outer periphery of the wrapping tape guide (30). Each of multiple reversing springs (42) has one end attached to the frame (21) and the other attached to a first bolt (41). The wrapping tape guide (30) includes a horizontal portion having a second bolt (43) attached to the wrapping tape guide (30) opposite to the base member (10) and near the middle of the horizontal portion of the wrapping tape guide (30). A first idle pulley (44) with an annular groove (not numbered) is mounted on the skirt at the top of the frame (21) near the second bolt (43). One vertical side of the frame (21) includes two opposite ends each having a second idle pulley (45) with an annular groove (not shown) attached to the first side of the frame (21) between the wrapping tape guide (30) and the second side of the frame (21). A cable (46) has a first end connected to the second bolt (43) and a second end attached to the linkage assembly (60) that is pivotally mounted on the first side plate (11). Between the linkage assembly (60) and the second bolt (43), the cable (46) is sleeved around the first idle pulley (44) and the two second idle pulleys (45) to be clear of the wrapping tape guide (30).

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 5, the drive device (50) is mounted on the first side plate (11) of the base member (10) under the frame (21). The drive device (50) comprises an L-shaped bracket (51), a sheave (51), two first studs (53), a second stud (54), multiple bushings (55), an L-shaped connecting plate (56), an L-shaped drive plate (57), a U-shaped connecting rod (58) and a latch (59). One side of the L-shaped bracket (51) is attached to the outer side of the first side plate (11), and the sheave (52) is rotatably mounted on the other side the bracket (51) of the drive device (50). The first and second side plates (11, 110) each includes a front vertical edge. Two first studs (53) are perpendicularly attached to the front vertical edge of the first side plate (11) and a second stud (54) is perpendicularly attached to the front vertical edge of the second side plate (110). Each of the first and second studs (53, 54) extends through a bushing (55) so that the bushings (55) are respectively slidably mounted around a corresponding one of the first and second studs (53, 54). The L-shaped connecting plate (56) is mounted on a top of the second side plate (110) of the base member (10). The connecting plate (56) has a first side attached to a bottom the wrapping tape guide (30) and a second side selectively abutting the front vertical edge of the second side plate (110) of the base member (10). The second stud (54) extends through the connecting plate (56) after extending through the bushing (55) so that the second side of the connecting plate (56) can slide on the second stud (54). An L-shaped drive plate (57) has a first side attached to the bottom of the wrapping tape guide (30) and a second side selectively abutting the front vertical edge of the first side plate (11) of the base member (10). The two first studs (53) extend through the second side of the drive plate (57) after extending through the bushings (55) so that the second side of the drive plate (57) can slide on the two first studs (53). The U-shaped connecting rod (58) has two opposite ends respectively attached to the connecting plate (56) and the drive plate (57) to make the connecting plate (56) and the drive plate (57) move together. The drive plate (57) includes a latch (59) perpendicularly attached to the second side of the drive plate (57) and a nut and bolt combination (66) perpendicularly attached to the latch (59).

[0027] The linkage assembly (60) mounted on the outer periphery of the first side plate (11) near the cam (12). The linkage (60) includes a pivoting drive arm (not numbered), a drive arm spring (63), a cable anchor (64) and a wheel (65). The pivoting drive arm has an inclined portion (62), a horizontal portion (600) and a vertical portion (61). The inclined portion (62) has two ends with one end pivotally connected to the first side plate (11). The horizontal portion (600) laterally extends from the end of the inclined portion (62) opposite to the pivotally attached end, and the vertical portion (61) extends perpendicular from the other end of the horizontal portion (600). A groove (67) is longitudinally defined in a top of the vertical portion (61) of the drive arm to receive the nut and bolt combination (66) so that the nut and bolt combination (66) can move in the groove (67) when the drive arm is driven. A cable anchor (64) is attached to the horizontal portion (600) to hold the second end of the cable (46) in place after the cable (46) runs around the sheave (52). A drive arm spring (63) includes two ends, one secured on the first side plate (11) and the other secured on the inclined portion (62) of the drive arm. A wheel (65) is rotatably mounted on the inclined portion (62) of the linkage (60) and always abuts the cam (12) due to the restitution force of the drive arm spring (63) so that the drive arm is driven by the cam (123) when the cam (12) is rotated.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 4, the cam (12) is rotated and pushes the wheel (65) with a raised portion during wrapping. The linkage (60) drive arm is pivoted outward to pull the drive plate (57) and the connecting plate (56) because the nut and bolt combination (66) is mounted on the drive plate (57) and is received in the groove (67) in the vertical portion (61) of the drive arm. Then the wrapping tape guide (30) is pulled outwardly by the drive plate (57) and the connecting plate (56) because the first sides of the drive plate (57) and the connecting plate (56) are attached to the bottom of the wrapping tape guide (30). Further with reference to FIGS. 2-3, the cable (46) is pulled simultaneously by the cable anchor (64), and the second bolt (43) is pulled by the cable (46) via the sheave (52), two second idle pulleys (45) and the first idle pulley (44) so that the wrapping tape guide (30) is moved away from the frame (21) and the wrapping tape (100) can escape from the transverse guide slot (301) IN the wrapping tape guide (30) speedily and smoothly.

[0029] The cam (12) is rotated to abut the wheel (65) with a concave portion after wrapping. Then the linkage (60) and the wrapping tape guide (30) are moved back to an original position due the restitution force of the drive arm spring (63) and the reversing spring (40) for the next wrapping sequence.

[0030] The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter in accordance with the present invention has the following advantages.

[0031] 1. The movement of the wrapping tape guide (30) is reliable even when used for a long time because the movement of the wrapping tape guide (30) is controlled by the cam that does not suffer from elastic fatigue of the springs in the conventional device.

[0032] 2. The wrapping tape guide (30) is securely mounted on the drive device so that it will not rock when moving.

[0033] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An automatic wrapping machine tape supporter comprising: a base member including a first side plate and a second side plate parallel to each other, the base member including a cam rotatably mounted on an outer periphery of the first side plate; a frame mounted upright on the base member and having an open end adapted to be mounted on the automatic wrapping machine, the frame having a vertical side perpendicular to the base member and a skirt perpendicularly extending from an outer edge of the vertical side of the frame; a wrapping tape guide mounted upright on the base member within the frame, the wrapping tape guide having a shape corresponding to that of the frame, a transverse guide slot defined in the wrapping tape guide and adapted to receive a wrapping tape in the wrapping tape guide; a reversing device mounted on and within the frame, the reversing device including: multiple reversing springs each having two opposite ends respectively secured on the vertical side of the frame and the wrapping tape guide; a first bolt attached to a top of the wrapping tape guide; a first idle pulley with an annular groove pivotally mounted on the skirt of the frame near the bolt; two second idle pulleys respectively pivotally mounted on two opposite ends of one vertical side of the frame, each of the second pulleys having an annular groove defined to corresponding to each other; an L-shaped bracket including a first side attached to the outer side of the first side plate and a second side having a sheave pivotally mounted on the L-shaped plate; and a cable having a first end mounted on the first bolt and a second end, the cable detouring the first idle pulley and the two second idle pulley; a drive device mounted on the first side plate of the base member, the drive device including: at least one first stud perpendicularly attached to a front vertical edge of the first side plate; an L-shaped drive plate mounted on the first side plate, the L-shaped drive plate having a first side attached to a bottom of the wrapping tape guide and a second side selectively abutting the front vertical edge of the first side plate, the L-shaped drive plate penetrated by the stud so that the L-shaped drive plate slides on the stud; and a latch perpendicular attached to the second side of the L-shaped drive plate and a nut and bolt combination perpendicularly attached to the latch; a linkage assembly mounted on the base member and including: a drive arm having a first end pivotally connected to the outer periphery of the first side plate of the base member and the second end of the cable attached to the linkage after detouring the sheave and a second end having a groove defined to receive the nut and bolt combination of the drive device; a drive arm spring having two opposite ends respectively secured on the first side plate and the drive arm; and a wheel pivotally mounted on the drive arm and always abutting the cam due to the restitution force of the drive arm spring so that the drive arm is driven by the cam when the cam is rotated.
 2. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame is inverted U-shaped and the reversing spring secured on each corner of the frame.
 3. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the comprises: a second stud attached to a front vertical side of the second side plate; a connecting plate having a first side attached to the bottom of the wrapping tape guide and a second side penetrated by the second stud and selectively abutting the front vertical side of the second side plate; and a U-shaped connecting rod having two ends respectively attached to the connecting plate and the drive plate to make the connecting plate and the drive plate moved together.
 4. The automatic wrapping machine tape supporter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the linkage comprises: an inclined portion with a first end pivotally connected to the outer periphery of the first side plate to connect the drive arm to the base member; a horizontal portion extending from a second end of the inclined portion; and a vertical portion extending another end of the horizontal portion of the linkage and having a free end defining a groove to movably receive the nut and bolt combination that is attached to the second plate.
 5. The automatic wrapper machine tape supporter as claimed in claim 4, wherein the wheel is rotatably mounted on the inclined portion of the linkage and the drive arm spring has one end attached to the inclined portion of the linkage. 